A buzz has been building over the last month, when Croupier released Creo Beast, the first single from their self-titled debut album. Having previously received only a taste of what to expect, I couldn’t have foreseen how multi-layered an album this would be. Described by the band themselves as “energetic, melodic and purposeful”, one would find it hard to disagree. It is these three elements which are quite clearly the blueprint for this album.

The album opener The Cropper can be at times frantic, particularly in the build-up, but is intersected by charming intervals. There is a constant rapid changing of pace throughout, which is characteristic of the whole album. Chiming guitars and drum frenzies are paired with vocals changing from emotional roars to subtle harmonies. This then leads perfectly into Creo Beast, which despite being the single is by no means the stand out track on the album. The other tracks appear to flow in their own direction, whereas this seems more forced and less organic.

The use of vocals in Panama unveils the true power of the band. A lighter side of Croupier guitar and some lovely piano accompaniment really vitalise the harmonies here. It is the perfect example of how using several styles of singing can really bring a song to life and put a unique stamp on a band. This is also echoed in Red Lemon, which truly shows what a solid guitar heavy band can do when using vocals as an instrument just like any other. Here the piano is used with a brilliantly vibrant effect when combined with a blasting guitar riff.

With a closing song by the name of Spector you would expect a quiet wind down to the album, and that’s how it starts, before suddenly transforming into the best example of guitar on the whole album. It is a great song to finish any album and encapsulates the band perfectly, you think you know where they’re going to take a song, but really you have no idea. They keep you guessing throughout the record and in the end you’ll love them for it.

It’s very easy to label this band as math-rock, prog-rock or some other sub-genre, but really most of their songs don’t even have a genre, let alone this album. There are certainly those influences at work here, but also a lot more. The musical arrangements are all over the place and yet fit together wonderfully. The way the vocals adapt and synchronise to the progression of the songs is refreshing and clearly thought out, but feels effortless. Croupier are clearly an insightful group of musicians, and if they continue to follow this path there is no reason why they shouldn’t fulfil their huge potential.

Croupier release their debut album on the 24th of August and will also play a launch gig in Whelans that night.